A diamond in the rough does not provide much beauty. It’s brilliance and luminance is not fully radiated until the skilled gem smith carefully cuts it with multiple facets so that the precious stone catches and reflects the light in all of its grandeur.

Discipleship can be a diamond in the rough. When a Christ-Follower is only self-centered in his focus, or even neglects his own relationship with Christ, there is little brilliance of the presence of Christ reflected. It is not until multiple facets are “cut” into his life that the true radiance of the Son is reflected. Here’s what I mean.

1. Individual Discipleship – True discipleship occurs when a person follows Christ as Lord of his/her life. This process is the cultivation of a relationship that is real, honest and vibrant. It, like any relationship, revolves around time spent together. Hydrating one’s life with the Word daily provides the listening ear for the Savior to speak into our lives the truth for which we hunger. Meditation, communion, solitude, fasting and prayer all provide avenues for the relationship to grow as we walk with Christ daily.

2. Generational Discipleship – As Deuteronomy 6 proclaims, generational discipleship occurs in the home. Parents who are individual disciples, actively pass on their faith to their children through teaching, modeling, discussing, applying and living out their faith. The children see that the faith of their parents is genuine and is the priority of their lives. The faith then becomes more “caught than taught.” Children in this environment naturally come to faith earlier in life and tend to remain faithful through the stormy years of adolescence and young adulthood.

3. Relational Discipleship – Acts 2 gives us the story of the emerging church that Jesus said He would build. The unique development of this organism instituted by God is characterized by the relational nature of its structure. First-century Christ-Followers met together at the temple and in their homes. In these contexts, they studied the Apostles’ doctrine, they worshiped, they enjoyed social interaction and they ate together. This was discipleship in action. When we read of Paul’s ministry in Philippi, we find that entire homes were transformed by the gospel. Husbands and wives were in partnership, living and ministering for the Kingdom. All of these relational connections are venues for discipleship.

So what does this mean for our churches…for our lives? I think there are a few things we can take away.

1. Individual discipleship alone is, at best, incomplete.
2. Self-improvement is not the end goal of discipleship…it is to pass along faith in relationship.
3. The only way to rear children effectively is to live our faith openly and honestly before them in our homes, with intentionality.
4. If we neglect the relational discipleship of community, we lose a vital component that has been integral to the church from the beginning.

The beauty of the disciple comes radiating through as he is “cut” with the various facets of true discipleship. As we allow this process to envelope us, our radiance shines with the presence of the Savior in us and points all those who observe it to the Father. I guess you could say we’re the diamond He wears on His hand.

How have these facets been effective in your journey? Where do you need to improve?